Researchers found that loneliness impacted people’s quality of sleep and cardiac function.
Researchers from universities in Illinois, Ohio and Arizona conducted two separate studies to determine how loneliness might impact health. In the first study, 89 college students were divided into two groups: the top 20 percent who were feeling the most lonely, and the bottom 20 percent who were feeling the least lonely. A loneliness questionnaire was also completed by a group of 25 older adults in the second study. Researchers then measured a number of the participants’ health characteristics, including the quality of their sleep.
Results from both studies showed that the non-lonely participants had better sleep patterns and overall cardiac function (e.g., higher cardiac output) than lonely participants. Among the older participants, loneliness was also associated with a greater rise in blood pressure. The authors concluded that “cardiovascular activation and sleep dysfunction [both] warrant special attention” in future research studies.
source: tele-management
Researchers from universities in Illinois, Ohio and Arizona conducted two separate studies to determine how loneliness might impact health. In the first study, 89 college students were divided into two groups: the top 20 percent who were feeling the most lonely, and the bottom 20 percent who were feeling the least lonely. A loneliness questionnaire was also completed by a group of 25 older adults in the second study. Researchers then measured a number of the participants’ health characteristics, including the quality of their sleep.
Results from both studies showed that the non-lonely participants had better sleep patterns and overall cardiac function (e.g., higher cardiac output) than lonely participants. Among the older participants, loneliness was also associated with a greater rise in blood pressure. The authors concluded that “cardiovascular activation and sleep dysfunction [both] warrant special attention” in future research studies.
source: tele-management
